---Mary-Kate---

After hours of searching I found the most perfect apartment in the city! And I'm not biased! It's affordable and has the most beautiful view of central park. I can just imagine Zac and I going for walks there...

***

Oh boy! Today is Zac's last day! He leaves tomorrow! I really didn't want to think about that fact, I didn't want it to ruin our nice walk in the park...

"Mary-Kate! Can't we just talk about this?" Zac asked her frustratedly.

"I'd rather not"

"I'm leaving in four days we HAVE to talk"

"Maybe we should just break up" I said slumping down on a park bench.

"NO WAY!" he said assertively sitting down next to me and taking both my hands in his "There are other options"

"Like what? You'll be gone for 6 months I won't see you for 6 months!" I said putting extra emphasis on 6 months. "At our age that's like, a lifetime!"

Zac sighed though not with defeat. "I know" he took a deep breath as though preparing for something.

I, not realizing it at the time, held my breath. What was going on?

He got up and walked a few feet away from the park bench. For a moment he just stood there, facing away from me looking out over the park. He then turned around and walked back till he was standing in front of me. He knelt down on one knee.

My heart skipped a beat. I knew what was going on now. But, couldn't help wondering if it was real

"Mary-Kate Olsen. Will you marry me?"

The words seemed to dance around me. Repeating themselves over and over before finally settling in.

I gaped at him in shock "I...I..." I was truly at a loss for words.

"Take a couple of days to think about it. I just need to know before I leave."

"But, I already know the answer"

Zac looked sick, extremely scared of what that answer would be.

"Yes! Zac. Yes!" I said smiling so much my cheeks hurt "I love you more then anything in this world. It's you I want to spend the res of my life with!"

Zac's entire face lit up with joy "Woo hoo!" he screamed leaping up and pulling me with him. He spun me round and round.

When we were finally out of breath we collapsed on the ground.

"I love you so much" he said. He leaned over to kiss me. Then slipped a ring on my finger.

***

Zac and I parted sadly, both knowing tomorrows meeting would end with a sorrowful parting. Even with that fact resting firmly on my mind, I couldn't shake the feeling of joy that had enveloped me. I was floating! My feet truly weren't touching the ground. And was I ever smiling! Honestly, the people I walked past on the street must have thought I was mad!

I decided to go and tell Ashley the good news first of all...

---Ashley---

I don't believe Nikola! She is... AUGH!!! Would you believe she took some photos of Josh and I kissing and is holding them over me! Like blackmail only she doesn't want anything and is 'saving for future use' AUGH!!!!!!

I heard a knock at the door and went to open it.

"Mary-Kate!" I said hugging her. I pulled back and looked at her closely "Are you ok?" Don't get me wrong. My sister is a happy person, I know lots of our fans have crushes on her for one sole feature, her smile. But this was crazy! She was truly glowing! "What happened?!" I asked excitedly.

She floated, yes floated. To the sofa and plopped down on it. "Zac" She breathed happily

"Yes" I said impatiently "Zac what?"

She sighed and smiled some more, something I wouldn't have believed possible. "he proposed!"

"He did?" I squealed leaping out of my seat "What did you say?"

"Yes"

"OH! Mary-Kate!" I hugged her happily "My baby sister is getting married!" we hugged some more.

Just then I heard a flash as Nikola took a photo. I took a few steps toward her and she disappeared into her room and the door slammed.

"What was that about?" Mary-Kate asked.

"Doens't matter. You're getting married!" We screamed together.

---Zac---

Ok, this is scary! My brothers were acting totally strange and now they have me cornered in the corner (no pun intended) this is like one of those horror movies I used to secretly watch when I was younger.

"Ok Zac, spill it! I may be busy but I'm not blind. You're acting majorly strange lately" Isaac said firmly.

Taylor folded his arms and nodded in agreement.

"It's nothing!" I said with a grin, deciding to keep them guessing a little longer.

"Sure it is!" they said in unison!

"I,.." I grinned

"You?"

"Well,...I..."

"ZAC!" Tay said clamping hands around my neck and threatening to strangle me "spit it out already!"

"I proposed to Mary-Kate and she accepted"

They both stared at me open mouthed.

"CONGRATS MAN!"

***Mary-Kate***

"So has he left?" Ashley asked.

"No they're all leaving tomorrow at lunch"

"Well, why don't we go over there!?"

"Well,...I don't know. Why don't we?"

"It'd be like old times" she said smiling. She got up and found the phone (an achievement in her messy dorm) "Plus I really need to get away from Nikola."

---Zac---

"The twins are coming over!" I happily announced as I hung up the phone.

My bros were happy to hear it, after all it'd be like old times. We decided, why not make it a party? And Ike called Kirsten and invited her over too.

***

"Wow! You two are actually getting married!" Kirsten smiled at Mary-Kate and I "All I can say is..." she turned to Ike "told you so!"

He smiled "Yeah, yeah you always knew they'd get married. Yadda Yadda Yadda!" he leaned over and kissed her.

The 6 of us were all sitting outside by our pool talking and laughing and basically enjoying ourselves. Ashley and Taylor were sitting on the edge of the pool danging their feet in the water talking. They were both the third wheel as neither had a boyfriend/girlfriend present, so they talked to each other. Mary-Kate and I were sitting together on the grass, as were Ike and Kirsten.

"Remember how much fun we had at the pool in Hawaii?" I asked Mary-Kate.

She smiled at the memory "It was great"

"Why don't we go swimming now?" I said getting up

"Nu-uh!"

"Why not?"

"First, it's cold, Second, I don't have anything to swim in"

"It's not THAT cold and you can swim in your clothes" I said moving towards her with a meschevious look in my eyes.

Chapter 22:
---Mary-Kate---

Uh-oh! I know that look!

"Back of Zac!" I warned trying not to laugh.

Kirsten nudged me from where she was sitting "I'd recommend running" just then Ike scooped her up and moved towards the pool "IKE! PUT ME DOWN!!" She screamed hitting him gently.

He laughed then kissed her "Sure thing honey" And with that he dumped her in the pool then followed, fully clothed.

Zac was temporarily distracted but not for long. He kept moving towards me and I kept backing up. He just about reached me when I started running.

I ran over to the tables and stood on one side. Each time he tried to get to me, I'd move around it a bit. Eventually he made a lunge over the table and I had to move away from that technique.

Ashley and Taylor decided to join in, each siding with their respective siblings. Only we didn't realize that at first.

I ran past them and Taylor grabbed my ankle slowing me down. Ashley who was still sitting next to him scooped up a handful of water and splashed him. Shocked by the sudden cold water he let go and I kept running not looking back. I soon heard a splash then another.

Zac and I were the only ones not in the water.

"You'll never catch me I said confidently"

---Zac---

"Oh, I won't huh?" I had to stop to catch my breath and she did too. Eyeing me wearily. I glanced down into the pool which we were both standing next to. It would be so easy just to jump forward reach out and knock her in...

She must have read my mind cause that's what she did, to me!

I hit the water with a loud splash.

"I am victorious!" She did a little victory dance at the edge of the pool.

But hope was not lost. My ever loyal brother Ike had snuck out of the water and behind her when she wasn't looking...

Mary-Kate, too, hit the water with a loud splash, and we were even!

***

I smiled thinking back of the fun of last night and hugged Mary-Kate even tighter. I couldn't believe we were saying good-bye. Time had flown so quickly. I knew it wasn't exactly the best idea, getting engaged then not seeing them for 6 months, but I didn't have much choice. Mary-Kate sniffled and I pulled back.

"Shhh" I said holding her by the arms "I'll be back before you know it" I gently brushed away a tear that had slipped from her eye. Then kissed her, one long last kiss.

"Zac, we gotta go" Ike said walking over. |

"See you in a couple of months!" I said to Mary-Kate. I squeezed her hand reassuringly and walked away. Looking back I got one last look at her, my fiancee, the love of my life.

---Mary-Kate---

Ashley put an arm around my shoulder and led me back to her car.

"Just a couple of months" she said using the term Zac had. "It'll fly by!"

I just looked out the window sadly.

"You will come see me perform tonight?" she asked.

I'd almost forgotten! She was starring in Romeo and Juliet tonight!

"Of course not!" I said giving her a wobby smile "Like I'd miss seeing you and Josh lock lips" I teased.

She grimaced "please don't bring that up!"

---Ashley---

Josh and I are truly the King and Queen of avoidance. Neither of us talked about our kiss. Ok Fine! Kisses, that night after I broke up with David. I kept trying to convince myself that it was just a rebound. And, I'm sure that's what Josh believed it was.

I sighed. Why was our relationship so mega complicated?!?

Chapter 23: